Why I Hate Black History Month

A week before our much-anticipated Black Heritage Month Assembly, I sat down at the desk at the front of the room. I had been preparing my students for the assembly, understanding that the topics being addressed would disrupt the school's culture.

I looked at my students and said, "I don't like Black History Month." They all gasped, shocked. "Why, Madame? " they asked.

"I don't like Black History Month because its very existence means that it is excluded from History. If Black culture were a part of History, then there would be no need for Black History Month."

If Black culture was a part of history, then there would be no need for Black History Month. - Korina Thomas-Reynolds

I saw my students' bodies relax, nodding in agreement.

The truth is, my first experience with Black History Month as an educator was traumatic.

My students spent 3 months preparing dances, songs, storytelling, and a heart-wrenching skit called #matter with a White male student and a Black female student speaking about the differences between #alllivesmatter and #blacklivesmatter.

We were so excited to show our school what we had worked so hard for, until one student, with tears in her eyes, shared, "I heard that some students are planning to protest the assembly by wearing white, saying something about wanting a European Heritage Month."

This dark cloud did not deter us; instead, it motivated us to deliver the best assembly the school had ever seen.

In the end, the assembly moved even the gym teachers to tears! Still, most of my students said that despite the Assembly Debrief Guide I had thoughtfully prepared and the discussion we had as a school on the importance of addressing the themes mentioned in the assembly, their teachers carried on as if the assembly had never happened.

So, without further ado, here are the reasons why I hate Black History Month.

3 Things That Irritate Me About Black History Month

Reason #1: It Is A Month of "Celebration" Instead of Mobilization

The crux of the issue lies in the very structure of Black History Month. It is a time of celebration—an opportunity to honour the stories of Black people. However, this celebration often comes at the expense of true mobilization. The glaring absence of the ongoing struggles of Black communities around the world speaks volumes about the shallow nature of these commemorations.

In Canada, for instance, we have the tragic case of the missing Black boys—a painful reminder of the persistent violence and systemic neglect of Black youth. Meanwhile, the Canada Black Justice Strategy has received little to no media coverage to showcase the country's commitment to tackling systemic racism.

In the Caribbean, the state of Ha?ti—a nation that birthed the first independent Black republic—remains in crisis. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Mo?se in 2021—with destabilization orchestrated by Canada, the USA, and France—the island continues to suffer from political instability, extreme poverty, and violence.

In Africa, we see the turmoil in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a country rich in resources but ravaged by conflict and exploitation, often exacerbated by Western powers. Even today, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who are funded by the US and UK, claimed Goma, the largest city in Congo, leaving many civilians in a state of fear.

The glimmer of hope in all of this is the Alliance of Sahel States, with the leaders in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger working together to fight for the true emancipation of Africa from colonial powers.

I believe there is a time for joy but I do sometimes wonder, with the current state of affairs, what are we truly celebrating about?

Reason #2: A Month of Corporate Performatism

Black History Month has become a display of performatism rather than true activism. Every February, we witness the hiring of Black artists, speakers, and performers—invited to share their stories, often leaving behind an illusion of progress. These efforts, while valuable in some ways, are often treated as the extent of what is needed for real change. Instead of using this time for meaningful dialogue about dismantling oppressive systems, we are left with fleeting moments of entertainment and temporary acknowledgement.

This performative activism manifests itself in workplaces, schools, and media, where companies and institutions appear to engage in diversity initiatives but fail to do the deep, uncomfortable work of disrupting institutional racism. It is easy to plaster a few Black faces for the sake of appearances, but this does nothing to address the root causes of inequality or give true power to the Black community. These surface-level engagements serve to maintain the status quo, not dismantle it.

Which leads me to my final point.

Reason #3: Black History Month Should Be Every Day

If Black History Month were truly meaningful, it would not be confined to just 28 days out of 365 (29 days in a leap year). Africa is the root of all things and yet, we continue to fight to be heard.

In Ontario, the provincial government has integrated?Black history into the Grade 7, 8, and 10 curricula. While this is a step forward, the?current defunding of the public education system?raises questions about how to prevent teachers' preparation to teach Black history effectively from being compromised.

How can we expect educators to be equipped with the tools to engage students in the history of Black people if the necessary resources and training are not provided? It is a problem that extends beyond Ontario, and we must ask ourselves: are we truly invested in educating the next generation on the full history of Black people, or are we simply checking off a box to appease a political agenda?

The tragic reenactment of slavery and mock slave actions by children in schools in the United States underscores the dangers of lack of transparency and preparation in teaching history.

Without the proper context, such exercises can trivialize the lived experiences of Black people and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. If educators are not equipped to teach this history with the depth, respect, and gravity it deserves, then we risk repeating the mistakes of the past.

It Is Time to Shift

As an ethnomathematician and Pan-African educator, I believe that every action and every gathering must be intentional. Our work, whether in the classroom, in the boardroom, or in our communities, must always centre on the liberation of Africa and the global Black diaspora. Black History Month should not be a distraction from these larger struggles, but rather an opportunity to deepen our commitment to them.

I am not against celebration. I believe we should celebrate the accomplishments of our ancestors and the resilience of our communities. However, I reject the notion that such celebrations should be limited to one month of the year. Instead, we must make the liberation of Africa, the empowerment of Black people, and the dismantling of systems of oppression central to our work every day.

As we reflect on Black History Month, let us not be content with tokenism, superficial gestures, or hollow words. Let us demand a world where Black history is not a special occasion but a living, breathing part of our daily lives. It is only through intentional mobilization and sustained action that we will truly honor the legacy of our ancestors and build a future that reflects the values of justice, equality, and freedom for all Black people.